Chapter Text
Even in chaos, Darius had an impeccable system of order. Perhaps his obsession with tidiness and cleanliness was a reflection of his own subconscious need to keep everything under control, or perhaps it was simply vanity.
Darius's office was packed with mountains of books catalogued by year, papers organized by subtopic and a large chalkboard covered in color coded notes. It was the complete opposite of Alador, who carried his chaos wherever he went, what he called organized chaos. He always knew how everything worked, even if he was the only one who did.
Darius, on the other hand, needed order. A thread to follow to stay on course without faltering in his steps. It made him feel like he knew what he was doing, even when he didn't.
The office door opened softly, as though whoever was opening it feared making the slightest sound in the room. Videl stepped in carrying a stack of dusty books that clashed with the room's aesthetic. Darius had wasted no time making the small study his own the moment it was given to him. It was filled with curtains of fine lilac threads, hand carved furniture made from the highest quality wood, immaculate bookshelves with a few carefully placed ornaments to breathe life into the space. Even the first brooch Alador had gifted him at their first Grom together sat in a small crystal box on the shelf.
"Here's what you asked for. Witch and Demon Biology twelfth edition, Dark Abomination, all three volumes of Slum Origins and The Bile Sac Grimoire" Vidal stacked the books on one of the tables with great care, trying not to let the dust from the covers contaminate the rest of the notes.
"Thank you, Virel" Darius murmured, making another annotation on the large chalkboard.
The golden guard couldn't help taking a moment to admire what was being built before his eyes. Fascinating, clearly. Ambitious and somewhat impossible too.
Alteration of biological matter? Only a witch of tremendous power could pull off something like that.
And standing right before him was that witch. Virel thought, watching how Darius moved through the room with such certainty, picking up books, scrawling notes in handwriting so neat it looked like he was composing the book of his life.
"The transformation of witches and demons is triggered by a strong surge in the bile sac... Demons can generally summon an alternate form more easily due to their more direct connection to their hearts..."
That was almost two years ago.
Darius had managed it months later. He replaced his arm with Abomination matter without drawing a single magic circle. It all came from his bile sac.
It had cost him grueling nights of research, a wrinkle in his cape and hours of meditation to connect with his innermost magic.
Up until then he had only managed to transform his limb for a limited time. It drained too much energy and demanded intense concentration to alter his physical form. Beyond the exhaustion and frustration, something told him he was close. Wherever it was he wanted to take his experiment.
Why were unplanned missions always the worst? Darius complained to himself, hanging upside down from a cliff ledge alongside Alador.
"We've got about five minutes before that giant spider demon comes back. Do you have a free hand?" Alador asked, trying to pull his arm free from the mass of webbing that had them pinned.
"No. This webbing is going to ruin my cape" he muttered, irritated.
"You can complain all you want once we're out of here, dearest. Right now we seriously need a plan or we're going to be eaten."
"I don't understand why I agreed to this" Darius grumbled, starting to feel the blood rushing to his head.
"Because it's our first mission together and you love spending time with me?"
"Mm..." Darius murmured.
If neither of them could get a hand free they weren't going to be able to draw an invocation circle, which left them without magic.
"Try that arm transmutation thing you do" Alador suggested.
"I'm trying, I need to concentrate."
"Oh, okay, no pressure, but the spider demon is staring at us" he replied, eyes fixed upward from where he hung, the enormous spider demon was watching the witches with curiosity. It liked to play with its prey.
"Alador!"
"I'm trying not to panic, sorry."
Darius gasped. He shut his eyes trying to channel his magic into his arm. He would be able to concentrate much better if he couldn't hear the spider's massive legs drawing closer, or if he weren't hanging upside down. Summoning magic without an invocation circle was no small thing.
It had taken him a long time to develop his theory. Even in his own head the idea had sounded far fetched.
He had theorized that if abomination matter was a hybrid substance with both magical and alchemical properties it might be compatible with the chemical makeup of a witch's body. Since abomination matter had the ability to shift between rigid and liquid states, perhaps its composition could be altered to adapt to that of a living being. Like a witch.
Something no one had ever done before. Virel had told him it had enormous potential, that beyond theory it was a genuine possibility. And it was that possibility that had consumed him.
His bile sac felt like it was trembling. Pulsing just like his heart. He needed to go deeper.
His whole body felt weightless. Magic was humming through his veins.
The spider's footsteps were getting closer. Alador was wrestling with the web again in another futile attempt to break free.
Almost there, Darius could feel it.
The spider shrieked in front of them, launching itself in their direction.
His eyes snapped open, darkening as a vibration surged through his entire body.
"Darius...?"
Before Alador could get a good look at his partner a mass of abomination engulfed him. The web snapped and both of them plummeted over the edge.
"Darius!" Alador cried out when he saw him fall. His partner was covered in Abomination matter, eyes blazing like one of them. Dark, an infinite void of darkness. Only the green of his irises stayed the same. The darkness surrounding them made the green of his eyes burn even brighter. Fascinating, Alador thought as he fell to his death.
Realizing they were both hurtling toward the ground he summoned his own magic, he always carried an enormous container of his own personal formula of abomination matter. He hurled it downward creating a net that caught them both.
The Abomination surrounding Darius vanished, drawn back into his own body and leaving him completely senseless.
"What? No, no. Darius, wake up" Alador called, shaking his arm and getting no response.
The spider crashed down in front of them. It shrieked in fury at having lost its meal.
A problem had been reported to the palace involving a demon that had been attacking a nearby village and they had been dispatched to deal with it. They were told it was hiding on the outskirts of town in a deep cave, but the moment they stepped inside the enormous spider had given them no time to react before trapping them and dragging them in.
So now it was time to fight back.
"Okay Alador, you cannot mess this up" he told himself.
He summoned his magic and formed a cocoon around Darius to keep him safe. The spider charged.
He called his Abomination golem and the creature launched itself at the spider, stopping it in its tracks. It wrapped around the demon's entire body, partially immobilizing it. His spell trembled in his hands, the spider was strong.
He just wanted to stop it. Drive it away from the village, something. He had no choice. If he let it advance it would kill them.
He closed his eyes and did what had to be done. The Abomination splintered into a thousand blades, tearing through the spider's body until it stopped moving.
He looked away the moment the demon went still.
Getting out of the cave wasn't difficult. He could at least report the mission as a success, Alador thought, checking Darius's vitals as they rode the airship back to the palace. Everything was normal. He had simply lost consciousness.
"Alador...?" Darius murmured from the corner where he lay wrapped in a blanket of Abomination.
The witch in question turned toward him and summoned an Abomination golem to pilot the ship, freeing himself to tend to his dazed boyfriend.
"I'm here. How are you feeling?" he asked, kneeling down beside Darius.
"Like my bones are made of snail slime..."
"Probably exhaustion. We won't be long getting back to the palace, a healer will see you."
"What happened to the spider demon?"
"I had to... implement plan C. The mission was a success either way, and you did it. Congratulations."
"Did what?"
"Uhm, turn into an abomination? How much do you actually remember?"
"I turned into an abomination...? I remember hearing the demon scream. That's it." Darius sat up, staring at Alador in disbelief.
"Well, I can confirm that right before my eyes you became a giant abomination."
Darius blinked several times, as if that were the only way to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Alador rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a small notebook where he jotted down whatever crossed his mind throughout the day, reminders, solutions to wiring problems he was working on, that sort of thing.
"Just like this." Alador showed him a quick sketch of the creature Darius had transformed into. It looked like an Abomination, clearly, except it had kept some of his features.
"Are you sure about this?" Virel asked, eyes narrowing with concern.
In front of him Alador stood with two enormous fists formed of Abomination, ready for combat.
"Absolutely, there's a high probability it'll work" Alador explained.
"I've been trying for days to do it again with no results. We came up with the theory that a life or death situation would give me enough adrenaline to trigger that state."
"Right... And you want my help with this?"
"We need all the help we can get" Alador pointed out.
Virel tilted his head, looking at them with complete disagreement. That didn't mean he wasn't going to help. If it meant helping his pupil in any way he couldn't say no.
Alador and Virel pushed Darius through a far from friendly battle, every move made with the sole purpose of hurting him. They trusted in the witch's abilities to keep himself from getting seriously injured.
They kept at it for a good while until all three of them were exhausted with little in the way of favorable results.
"I don't understand what I did differently, I felt the adrenaline, the fear" Darius complained, pacing around the training field still scattered with abomination and damage.
"It might be because you're forcing it" Virel told him. "The harder you try to make it happen the less you'll understand how to summon it naturally."
"I've been at this too long to not force it, Virel" the tallest witch grumbled, stomping with every step she took.
Virel was about to respond, ready to deliver the kind of speech only a wise mentor could give. Until Alador cut in.
"What if you finish planning what we're wearing to the Coven Day? You still haven't decided between the amethyst or fig toned suits. You haven't picked the accessories either" Alador gently took Darius by the shoulder, stopping his restless pacing.
"Alador I don't have time for that... Well, there's still a week left, isn't there?" Alador nodded. "You know what? You're right, I need something else to channel my frustration into and that something is going to be the tailor."
Darius left the training field letting Virel know they would pick up the conversation later. Alador waved him off with a pair of thumbs up to signal everything was under control.
Virel laughed once he was left alone. If he didn't know Darius as well as he did he wouldn't have the faintest idea why that witch was in love with him. But after so long watching them together and seeing how they moved around each other he couldn't picture either of them being happy with anyone else.
He was glad they had each other.
"Sir" a scout called from behind him. Virel quickly reached for his mask and composed himself. "The Emperor requests your presence."
Virel nodded, following the scout to the throne room. Outside it he caught sight of the new intern tripping over her own feet trying to keep up with her instructor. She was a small demon with reddish skin who hid one of her eyes behind what appeared to be her own hair. The little demon flinched when she saw him and quickly stepped out of his way.
Upon entering the throne room the Emperor dismissed everyone present, leaving the two brothers alone.
"Virel" the Emperor greeted him, tossing aside what Virel assumed was a palisman.
"Why did you call for me, brother?"
"We have troubling news. It appears there is a traitor among the palace staff. Someone has been helping wild witches escape from the conformatory. You know I cannot allow something like this, dear brother." The Emperor rose from his throne, moving with that strange natural aura of his. You could never quite tell whether it was benevolent or sinister.
"What? One of my cadets?" Virel's voice was heavy with disbelief. He caught himself. "Forgive me, brother. I should have noticed sooner. I'll find whoever is responsible and deal with them myself."
"I know you will, brother. I'm grateful for your devotion to the Isles. Remember that allowing wild witches to roam our lands only invites the Titan's wrath..." Belos placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "I trust you with this."
Virel nodded. Before turning away he gave his brother a bow and left the room at a steady pace. Once outside he let out a long, trembling breath.
He looked down at his own hands. They were shaking slightly.
He knew what he was doing was nothing short of treason. As the Emperor's younger brother he had chosen to disregard everything asked of him after witnessing just how absurd his older brother's rigid and unforgiving rule truly was.
From the time he was a child he had been trained to follow orders, to never question and to serve as a lethal and loyal weapon. That was no reason to be without feeling. Like any other witch he felt empathy, a deep and wrenching empathy for everyone around him.
Watching witches who didn't fit the mold get locked away time and again pressed on his bones like a weight. He saw himself in those rebellious witches. Imperfect, strange, singular.
The memory of one mission haunted him like a reflection of his own sins every so often. It was the capture of a wild witch, a woman who had lost her husband at the hands of the Emperor's coven and was left alone to raise her daughter. When they found her the little girl had clung to her legs, refusing to let go of her mother. The child cried and screamed for them to give her mother back.
Through her tears the mother promised her daughter she would return, telling her the men were only playing. She swore she would be fine and as they dragged her by force from their home in the woods the woman kept telling her daughter how much she loved her, leaving the little girl sobbing alone in the house.
Virel made sure the girl was taken to an orphanage. Her mother was petrified.
He still remembered the eyes of that witch. It was a silent surrender. She didn't fight, she didn't sob. She walked toward the tower where the petrification ceremonies were carried out accepting her fate without a word. Virel was there, standing at her side waiting for his brother. The wild witch looked at him, her eyes flooding with a desperation her body refused to show.
"Please, protect my daughter" the witch whispered, barely loud enough for Virel to hear.
Nothing was the same after that.
He made sure the wild witch's little daughter received a good education and tried to ensure she never lacked for anything. But no matter how many anonymous gifts she received, nothing would ever give her back her mother.
From that point on he began helping every witch and demon he judged to be no real threat. Because he couldn't ignore the fact that there were people living on the Boiling Isles who were genuinely dangerous.
He didn't know what his brother was capable of if he ever found out what he had been doing behind his back. He knew firsthand that he was not a priority in Belos's life. The Titan's will would always come before everything else. The scars he carried on his body were proof enough of that. Whatever fate awaited him if any of this came to light it would not be in his favor.
Darius had been staring at himself in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time, and for the hundredth time he let out a low groan at the sight of the bun holding back his locs, still not right.
"Your locs look beautiful down too, Darius" Alador said from behind him. He was wearing a stunning steel blue two-piece suit, since Darius had ultimately decided the fig tone made him look too washed out. The jacket had a slightly elongated tail. A white shirt underneath, a dark ruffled cravat, dark grey tall boots and an Abomination coven pin on his lapel. Darius had even insisted he tie his hair back, and Alador had done his best to produce a small bun that was a little lopsided but somehow charming for it.
His partner, on the other hand, would never pass up an opportunity to revel in a flawless outfit.
He wore a purple silk shirt with billowing sleeves, a corset covered in golden embroidery cinched around his torso. Paired with straight black trousers and ankle boots it made him look even taller than he already was. And as always without fail a small lilac cape draped from one shoulder. Like Alador he wore an Abomination coven pin, though on his cape rather than his costly silk shirt.
"But I won't be able to wear my earrings like this" he grumbled, glancing at his favorite gold pair sitting on the vanity.
"And we have less than an hour to get to the palace. The airships won't be running every half hour today."
"I suppose I'm leaving the earrings behind then" he undid his bun and let his locs fall over his shoulders. It gave him a more relaxed look without making him any less radiant. "How do I look?" He turned to face Alador, sweeping his cape behind him.
"Magnificent" Alador answered without missing a beat. As though no other word could have possibly fit.
His eyes traveled over Darius from his gleaming boots all the way up to his emerald eyes. Completely lost in the witch standing before him.
These were the moments when he still couldn't quite understand how he had ended up with Darius.
His boyfriend smiled, not the smile he kept polished for everyone else, but the one that made his eyes shine even brighter. He stepped closer and brought a hand to Alador's jaw, drawing him in until their lips met.
It was chaste and brief. He couldn't risk wrinkling their outfits. When Darius pulled away Alador chased his lips for a few seconds, hoping for at least one more brush.
"You look wonderful too, dearest. We need to go."
Alador nodded, warmth spreading across his face beneath his mask. He grabbed it before following Darius out.
Coven Day was celebrated with parades and processions across the entire Titan, all of them centered around the glory of the covens and the Emperor, for it was thanks to him that the coven system existed at all, only he in his blessed wisdom could have given them something so magnificent. That year some coven leaders had been chosen to lead parades through the larger cities while others gathered at the palace, where things tended to look rather different.
Alador had learned shortly after arriving at the palace not to expect much from the people who worked there. Most of the high ranking witches were unpleasant. Hungry for power and desperate to be seen. It was easy enough to blend in as long as you didn't get involved.
Coven Day at the palace was an exercise in chest puffing, in flattering whatever coven leaders had shown up to the ceremony and of course in making the case for which coven reigned supreme.
Alador placed his hand on the small of Darius's back as they entered the hall. Something told him an insufferable witch was going to materialize at any moment.
As if on cue Eber came sprinting toward them the second they crossed the threshold. Darius fixed him with a look that said very clearly, if you jump on my shoulder I will end you right here.
Eberwolf stuck his tongue out.
"Asher, Darius, I must say those outfits are absolutely delightful."
Alador rolled his eyes behind his mask. Darius let out a short exhale through his nose.
"Nice to see you too, Eberwolf" Adrian said as she fell into step beside them. She was wearing an outfit in shades of sky blue, a three piece suit with a high collar and gold accents.
"Adrian, I thought your coven had a parade in Latissa" Darius said.
"Let's say I made an escape. It's far more pleasant to be at the palace drinking than waving at crowds for hours. Did you hear Terra is hosting? I'd stay away from the flower vases if I were you."
The coven leaders made their entrance at some point during the party, carrying themselves like the powerful witches they were. The leaders of the plant, potions, construction, bard, oracle and abomination covens. Speaking of which, Colmet Cubbett. The man had fallen seriously ill not long ago, age finally catching up to him. No one knew how much longer he had, only that it wasn't another ten years. A new coven leader would be named soon.
Within the Abomination coven several names were being whispered among cadets and instructors alike. The most frequently mentioned was Darius Deamonne. Then there was a witch named Orsha Wittmer, Gabriel Mettshu and Asher, who had been making a name for himself lately among the Abomination masters through his combat skills, his knowledge of Abomination matter and his standout personal formula for abomination substance. Stronger, denser and easier to control.
Many said he still had too much to prove to stand alongside the three frontrunners. But in the short time he had been at the palace his name was already known, reserved as he tended to be. People knew he was dating Darius and that he was an inventor, even if he didn't make a point of showing it.
The first had made him an object of suspicion, curiosity and puzzlement in equal measure. Adrian wasn't the only one who wanted to know what was behind that mask.
Eberwolf was working his way through everything on the appetizer table. Darius kept a careful distance to avoid any food debris landing on his outfit while Alador studied the enormous chandelier hanging above the hall. It was a stunning piece of craftsmanship, set with inlaid gems.
The lights in the hall dimmed. Every person present turned toward the entrance where a row of scouts had already formed a perimeter.
The doors swung open to receive Belos alongside the golden guard. Everyone bowed. Belos walked to the center of the room where a throne awaited him.
"My dear companions." the Emperor greeted them. "Another year, and the Titan blesses us greatly. It brings me tremendous pleasure to see so many witches gathered here today. Everything tells me we are drawing ever closer to the elimination of wild magic. I could ask for no greater joy. I thank each and every one of you for your tireless effort in carrying out the Titan's will. "The room erupted into applause. "Enjoy the celebration. Happy Coven Day."
Belos took his seat on the throne. Terra arrived shortly after, she was said to be the coven leader closest to Belos. The golden guard took the opportunity to slip away.
"Hey everyone" Virel greeted them, making his way toward the appetizer table.
"I almost thought you weren't coming" Darius replied.
"I ran into some complications. Has any of Terra's plants eaten anyone yet?"
Eberwolf barked and raised his small claws, holding up three fingers. Terra was already at three victims. Virel sighed. He would have to deal with all of that later.
The party unfolded more or less as expected. Terra's plants claimed four more victims. Someone spiked Adrian's drink with abomination substance, the bards and the oracles nearly broke into a full witch duel and Virel had to put out two fires. At least Eberwolf hadn't released a horde of creatures into the hall like he did last year.
Darius was leaning against the wall of the hall, surveying the room with mild disinterest, working through his sixth glass of spectre wine. Alador was locked in debate with another witch from the construction coven about alternating and direct currents or something along those lines.
He spotted Colmet across the room and felt a sharp pang of something close to panic. The man was laughing with a handful of appetizers in hand, surrounded by the other coven leaders. His failed transmutation attempts weighed on him too, he had spent a long time planning how he would demonstrate his progress to Colmet. All he needed was to actually pull it off, which remained the problem.
He looked down at his own hand wrapped around his glass. Transforming a single finger was easy enough, he could feel the faint vibration of the substance moving through his body. Maybe he was further from the real thing than he wanted to admit.
"Who does that idiot think he is? Direct current is completely useless." Alador arrived at his side, dropping back against the wall with his arms crossed. Darius was fairly certain that behind that mask his face was as red as it got whenever something set him off.
"Whatever you say, dearest."
"You're not criticizing anyone's outfit. Should I be worried?"
Darius smiled and finished the last of his wine. "Not too much."
The Emperor had left not long ago, he usually stayed an hour, or didn't come at all for events like this, leaving the guests free to drop their pretenses. Terra was already tearing into half the staff for their posture.
"I think I had more than I should have. Let's go, it's getting late anyway" Darius said, setting his glass on the first floating tray that drifted past.
"I've been waiting half an hour for you to say that."
Both of them were still catching their breath, chests heaving. Alador's attempt at a bun had come undone the moment they stepped through the door, Darius had seen to that personally.
Alador leaned down and pressed his lips along the length of Darius's neck, where the mark of a bite had already settled in. Darius was going to have to figure out how to hide that by morning or Eber would never let him hear the end of it.
"Alador, give me five minutes to recover" Darius murmured, even as his hands stayed locked around Alador's back with no intention of letting go.
Alador brought his lips back to Darius's face and kissed him slowly. There was something about Alador's gentleness that always made him feel like he was coming undone. It was strange to watch, a witch who was so reckless in everything else, impulsive, headstrong, handling him with a tenderness he reserved for nothing else except maybe his most dangerous inventions.
Softness. Or maybe it was just his post-orgasm body making everything feel softer than it was. Alador pulled back suddenly, confused, eyes bright.
"What's wrong?" Darius asked, before catching the shift in his own voice. He looked down at his arms, still stretched out where they had been holding Alador. Purple.
He pulled his hand toward him. It was made of abomination.